While it will be missing a few former champions, this year's field of 200+ contestants has changed the previous year's four man pods of two people advancing into small eight man double elimination tournaments. If you were a player going 2-1 to make it into tournament play, there is a good chance you might not make the tournament. The increase in players and talent in what is essentially the World Tecmo Super Bowl Championship means all players need to step up their game. More than likely there are a handful of players that ever never been to Madison that will shock the tournament crowd by knocking out a favorite, perhaps even crashing into the coveted double-elim Final 8. Since we have yet to meet these players, here is a breakdown of the Tecmo Madison regions.Mark Clayton Region Projected Group Winners Group A - Chet H. (holzy11) Group B - Sobhi Y. (bestinworld) Group C - Matt M. (Ones11fahzu) Group D - Joseph N. (nomad) Group E - Eric O. (tecmodell42) Group F - Erik M. (ARNCOEM) Group G- Travis R. (Moulds33) Elite 8 Favorites Chet H. (holzy11) Matt M. (Ones11fahzu) Darkhorses Todd D. (imimmortl) Jonathan B. (QB_Browns) Best Names Erik B. (Butt Douglas) James K. (Tobin, She Rote) Jordan W. (Don't Go Chasin Atwaterfalls) Dave M. (Balloneous Assault) Jason P. (Marc Vlasic Pickle Defense) The Clayton Region seems the most predictable in terms of projected group winners which probably means we'll see some upsets. Defending champion Chet is the biggest favorite to make the Elite 8 and it will be interesting to see who can challenge Matt M and Sobhi Y to make the double elim. While former champ Sohbi is considered one of the greatest Tecmo players ever, Matt gets the nod due to his impressive year of tournament play including last year's Madison Final 4 run. Eric O and Erik M are perennial Top 16 players who are capable of making a deep run. Travis R and Joesph N represent some of the Nebraska talent finally making it's way to Madison. Mark Duper Region Projected Group Winners Group H - Luke C. Group I - Jon J. (daboy) Group J - Jeff B. Group K - James T. (skunkerofbestinworld) Group L - Chris V. (vogtcd11) Group M - Matt O. (LuckyTool) Group N - Adam G. (Garbage) Elite 8 Favorites Jon J. (daboy) Luke C. Darkhorses Ryan K. (Hoigaard2) Jess S. (Schuk) Jay H. (birdhas_uwl) Tony J. (Dotdon) Justin O. Taha Y. (Monkimanmanmonk) Best Names Corey L. (Hingle McCringleberry) Jon S. (RogerCraig'slist) Brett Michael S. (Jesus von Fitzenhopper) GARY M. (SEXY LOVES SANDWICHES) Gabriel J. (Likesbutts) Realistically, I have no idea who will make the Elite 8 from the Duper Region. I went with Luke of his showings in Iowa and Nebraska (only loss was to Chet) and with feared Jon (Daboys) J who is potentially due for some damage in his second Madison showing. Jeff B, who made the big Elite 8 run last year in dominating fashion and Midwest Tecmo Tournament organizer Chris V are itching to prove they belong among the elite. Hometown Shunker and Garbage are always a threat to go on run. Matt O was one win away from making Mort one of the best players to never win Madison. The one thing this region lacks is clear favorites. Expect major upsets here but be surprised if someone from the Duper Region wins the tournament. Ferrell Edmunds Region Projected Group Winners Group O - Kyle M. (Regulator088) Group P - Francis B. (mort) Group Q - Seth B. (Virtuoso) Group R - Erik J. (rikfenny) Group S - Kevin M. (buzzsaw) Group T - Tony O. (AverageTSBPlayer) Group U - Troy H. (PrimeTime) Elite 8 Favorites Kyle M. (Regulator088) Francis B. (mort) Darkhorses John H. (ButtonSpaz) Tom B. (8-bit) Ed G. (edisaurusrex) Best Names Luke L. (DutchHammer) Brad A. (Rypien Brawler) Patrick D. (Anders to the Top) Jordan K. (Showtime Loo) Barry K. (Brute Farce) Potentially the best player never to win at Madison, Kyle (Regulator) was one win away from fulfilling the 10-0 t-shirt he wore last year and is the clear favorite of the Edmonds region to make the Elite 8 and to win the entire tournament. The other clear favorite in the region is Mort, who has won most every tournament of note not featuring Chet. Which local player can knock one of these guys out of the tourney? Seth B., Erik J., and Troy H. are elite lWisconsin players who play online. Their unique play will throw someone for a loop. Tony O. and his entourage is one of the most intimidating plays in all of Madison. While he might not be favored to win his group, Ed G is certainly capable of ruining any of these player's day. Jim Jensen Region Projected Group Winners Group V - Matt V. (bigmv54) Group W - Rico R. (ryanr33fulcher) Group X - Louis B. (red98sethuthut) Group Y - Brent B. (bgboud2) Group Z - Derek R. (tecmopsycho) Group AA - Josh H. (sonofpatbeach) Group BB - AJ B. (adversity) Elite 8 Favorites Louis B. (red98sethuthut) Matt V. (bigmv54) Darkhorses Steven M. (Meest) Kyle F. (Flo) Barry A. (Bob Nelson) Lucas S. (Breaker) Adam L. (smoolorf) Josh H. (Houlie) Best Names Isaac L. (SEX PANTHER) Dan D. (Child of Destiny) Brock F. (Brock Lobsters) Jake I. (Beef Juice) nick t. (The Pecan Sandies) Big time tourney player Matt V is the favorite to win the Jensen and he's joined by probably one of the most improved Tecmoers in the last two years, Louis B. Typical favorite and former champion Josh H not only has to battle travelling to his own tournament but also running the mike before every round. If he can get past the distraction monster he is one of Tecmo's elite. Brent B and Derek M are two tapping tournament veterans who play a ton of games and are capable of running with the best. AJ has completely revamped his game from last year and is hungry to prove himself. Speaking of tapping, Kyle F will give Louis all he can handle and has the game to make the Elite 8. Thanks to the guys at Tecmomadison.com, especially Tony, for their awesome tourney site that made this breakdown possible. Click here to view the article

Mark Clayton Region Projected Group Winners Group A - Chet H. (holzy11) Group B - Sobhi Y. (bestinworld) Group C - Matt M. (Ones11fahzu) Group D - Joseph N. (nomad) Group E - Eric O. (tecmodell42) Group F - Erik M. (ARNCOEM) Group G- Travis R. (Moulds33) Elite 8 Favorites Chet H. (holzy11) Matt M. (Ones11fahzu) Darkhorses Todd D. (imimmortl) Jonathan B. (QB_Browns) Best Names Erik B. (Butt Douglas) James K. (Tobin, She Rote) Jordan W. (Don't Go Chasin Atwaterfalls) Dave M. (Balloneous Assault) Jason P. (Marc Vlasic Pickle Defense) The Clayton Region seems the most predictable in terms of projected group winners which probably means we'll see some upsets. Defending champion Chet is the biggest favorite to make the Elite 8 and it will be interesting to see who can challenge Matt M and Sobhi Y to make the double elim. While former champ Sohbi is considered one of the greatest Tecmo players ever, Matt gets the nod due to his impressive year of tournament play including last year's Madison Final 4 run. Eric O and Erik M are perennial Top 16 players who are capable of making a deep run. Travis R and Joesph N represent some of the Nebraska talent finally making it's way to Madison. Mark Duper Region Projected Group Winners Group H - Luke C. Group I - Jon J. (daboy) Group J - Jeff B. Group K - James T. (skunkerofbestinworld) Group L - Chris V. (vogtcd11) Group M - Matt O. (LuckyTool) Group N - Adam G. (Garbage) Elite 8 Favorites Jon J. (daboy) Luke C. Darkhorses Ryan K. (Hoigaard2) Jess S. (Schuk) Jay H. (birdhas_uwl) Tony J. (Dotdon) Justin O. Taha Y. (Monkimanmanmonk) Best Names Corey L. (Hingle McCringleberry) Jon S. (RogerCraig'slist) Brett Michael S. (Jesus von Fitzenhopper) GARY M. (SEXY LOVES SANDWICHES) Gabriel J. (Likesbutts) Realistically, I have no idea who will make the Elite 8 from the Duper Region. I went with Luke of his showings in Iowa and Nebraska (only loss was to Chet) and with feared Jon (Daboys) J who is potentially due for some damage in his second Madison showing. Jeff B, who made the big Elite 8 run last year in dominating fashion and Midwest Tecmo Tournament organizer Chris V are itching to prove they belong among the elite. Hometown Shunker and Garbage are always a threat to go on run. Matt O was one win away from making Mort one of the best players to never win Madison. The one thing this region lacks is clear favorites. Expect major upsets here but be surprised if someone from the Duper Region wins the tournament. Ferrell Edmunds Region Projected Group Winners Group O - Kyle M. (Regulator088) Group P - Francis B. (mort) Group Q - Seth B. (Virtuoso) Group R - Erik J. (rikfenny) Group S - Kevin M. (buzzsaw) Group T - Tony O. (AverageTSBPlayer) Group U - Troy H. (PrimeTime) Elite 8 Favorites Kyle M. (Regulator088) Francis B. (mort) Darkhorses John H. (ButtonSpaz) Tom B. (8-bit) Ed G. (edisaurusrex) Best Names Luke L. (DutchHammer) Brad A. (Rypien Brawler) Patrick D. (Anders to the Top) Jordan K. (Showtime Loo) Barry K. (Brute Farce) Potentially the best player never to win at Madison, Kyle (Regulator) was one win away from fulfilling the 10-0 t-shirt he wore last year and is the clear favorite of the Edmonds region to make the Elite 8 and to win the entire tournament. The other clear favorite in the region is Mort, who has won most every tournament of note not featuring Chet. Which local player can knock one of these guys out of the tourney? Seth B., Erik J., and Troy H. are elite lWisconsin players who play online. Their unique play will throw someone for a loop. Tony O. and his entourage is one of the most intimidating plays in all of Madison. While he might not be favored to win his group, Ed G is certainly capable of ruining any of these player's day. Jim Jensen Region Projected Group Winners Group V - Matt V. (bigmv54) Group W - Rico R. (ryanr33fulcher) Group X - Louis B. (red98sethuthut) Group Y - Brent B. (bgboud2) Group Z - Derek R. (tecmopsycho) Group AA - Josh H. (sonofpatbeach) Group BB - AJ B. (adversity) Elite 8 Favorites Louis B. (red98sethuthut) Matt V. (bigmv54) Darkhorses Steven M. (Meest) Kyle F. (Flo) Barry A. (Bob Nelson) Lucas S. (Breaker) Adam L. (smoolorf) Josh H. (Houlie) Best Names Isaac L. (SEX PANTHER) Dan D. (Child of Destiny) Brock F. (Brock Lobsters) Jake I. (Beef Juice) nick t. (The Pecan Sandies) Big time tourney player Matt V is the favorite to win the Jensen and he's joined by probably one of the most improved Tecmoers in the last two years, Louis B. Typical favorite and former champion Josh H not only has to battle travelling to his own tournament but also running the mike before every round. If he can get past the distraction monster he is one of Tecmo's elite. Brent B and Derek M are two tapping tournament veterans who play a ton of games and are capable of running with the best. AJ has completely revamped his game from last year and is hungry to prove himself. Speaking of tapping, Kyle F will give Louis all he can handle and has the game to make the Elite 8. Thanks to the guys at Tecmomadison.com, especially Tony, for their awesome tourney site that made this breakdown possible.

What: “Tecmo IX: Marino Royale” When: March 2, 2013 (registration opens 1/5/13) Where: Badger Bowl, 506 East Badger Road, Madison, WI 53713 Field Size: 224 Tournament Website: http://tecmomadison.com Entry Fee: $35. Includes a tournament t-shirt (size to be selected during registration) How to Register: Tournament registration, through the website, opens on January 5, 2013. You cannot register for TecmoIX unless you have already created an account with the website. If you already have an account, simply access the site and click on “Sign up for Tecmo IX.” Your login information is that which you provided when you initially created the account. If you have forgotten your password, click on the “I forgot my password” link and a new one will be forwarded to the email account of record. If you need to create an account, click on the “Create an Account Now” link (top left of screen), follow the prompts, and you will then be in a position to register. This year, the registration process includes payment of the entry fee. No one will be registered until the entry fee is electronically processed through WePay. The entry fee will be non-refundable, so make certain you wish to and can attend on March 2, 2013. We do not want guys “reserving” spots when they have little intention of actually attending. Payouts will be made by check on tournament day to the top four finishers. Because this is the first year we are using WePay, unanticipated problems may arise. Please be patient with us while we work out the kinks. Tournament Rules, Format, & Preview: All of this information is available on the site, as are past tournament results, pictures, competitor profiles, and a general tournament history. Please be advised, however, that the tournament format is changing this year. As explained on the site, the change is necessary to accommodate increasing demand. Bottom line: please make note of the format change before choosing to register. Equipment Needed: This tournament requires at least 24 systems to operate properly. If you can bring an NES, a cartridge, or a television to the tournament, please indicate such during the enrollment process (the website will automatically seek this information when you register). Any help is appreciated. Questions: If you have a question potentially applicable to all competitors (rules, tournament format, etc), please post such below. This is the official tournament thread. If you have an individual question that requires our attention, you can reach us at admins@tecmomadison.com Final Word: Last year’s tournament had 176 competitors from 27 different states. Even greater numbers and state diversity are expected this year. The NFL Films piece unearthed many previously undiscovered Tecmo enthusiasts and prompted numerous claims of Tecmo invincibility. Make no mistake guys—this is a national tournament featuring many of the country’s best players. Please prepare accordingly. For some, that might mean extra time in the film room. For others, it might mean installation of a bionic thumb. Whatever the case, just do that which is necessary to get here and conquer what could be our most competitive field yet. Good luck and long live Tecmo!